Railway hopper car end structure assembly

ABSTRACT

A railway hopper car end structure and method of assembly is disclosed. The end structure includes a bolster assembly having a bottom plate extending transversely between the side sills and an upper arcuate wrap sheet secured at the opposite side sheets and at the inclined slope sheet. Diagonal gusset plates and vertical web plates extend between the wrap and bottom sheets to strengthen the bolster assembly. The bolster assembly carries a conventional center sill and center plate assembly. A plurality of generally semi-circular diaphragm plates extend transversely between the wrap sheet and the slope sheet at locations above the car axis and center plate to structurally stiffen the car body. The method of assembly consists of forming a sub-assembly including the bolster assembly, slope sheet and diaphragm plates and joining the sub-assembly to another sub-assembly including the side sills and intermediate bulkheads to permit alignment of the car during fabrication. The top and side sheets are then joined to one another and to the side sill and end structures to enclose the hopper car.

United States Patent [191 Martin Oct. 29, 1974 RAILWAY HOPPER CAR END STRUCTURE ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 105/248, 105/360, 105/406 R, 105/410 [51] Int. Cl B6ld 7/04, B6ld 7/14, B61f 1/10 [58] Field of Search 105/247, 248, 249, 253, 105/358, 360, 406 R, 410

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 669,798 3/1901 King 105/247 673,103 4/1901 Williamson et al l 105/248 3,339,499 9/1967 Charles et al 105/248 3,470,829 10/1969 Szala 105/248 3,490,387 l/l970 Halcomb.... 105/248 3,605,634 9/1971 Johnson 105/248 3,713,399 l/l973 Bembridge et al 105/248 X Primary ExaminerM. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant ExaminerHoward Beltran Attorney, Agent, or Firm-E. Mickey Hubbard jlili 57 ABSTRACT A railway hopper car end structure and method of assembly is disclosed. The end structure includes a bolster assembly having a bottom plate extending transversely between the side sills and an upper arcuate wrap sheet secured at the opposite side sheets and at the inclined slope sheet. Diagonal gusset plates and vertical web plates extend between the wrap and bottom sheets to strengthen the bolster assembly. The bolster assembly carries a conventional center sill and center plate assembly. A plurality of generally semicircular diaphragm plates extend transversely between the wrap sheet and the slope sheet at locations above the car axis and center plate to structurally stiffen the car body. The method of assembly consists of forming a sub-assembly including the bolster assembly, slope sheet and diaphragm plates and joining the subassembly to another sub-assembly including the side sills and intermediate bulkheads to permit alignment of the car during fabrication. The top and side sheets are then joined to one another and to the side sill and end structures to enclose the hopper car.

6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED EU, 2 9 1974 FIG. 2

RAILWAY HOPPER CAR END STRUCTURE ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a railroad hopper car, and more particularly relates to an end structure for supporting the overhanging end hopper portions at the inclined slope sheet at opposite ends of the car.

Railway hopper cars are generally constructed having a series of adjacent hopper compartments defined by arcuate or curved side sheets and subdivided internally by bulkheads having an inclined portion. Slope sheets are provided at opposite car ends. Bottom hopper outlet adapters are arranged beneath the car for the discharge of material from the compartments. The outlet adapters are located so that the inclined bottom portions of the individual compartments funnel the material into the discharge opening. An end support structure is secured to the end slope sheets at opposite ends of the car. The end structure serves to support the hopper car construction and to receive the draft gear and coupler structure. The end structure is designed to withstand buff and impact loads exerted at the coupler during operation of the hopper car.

A conventional end structure is shown, for example, in US. Pat. No. 3,339,499. This patent discloses a covered hopper railway car having a bolster assembly extending between the side sills at either end of the car near the bottom of the sloped sheet.'The bolster assembly includes a lower cover plate and an upper generally horizontal shear plate. An end or center sill assembly receives a draft gear and coupler structure. A pair of diagonal end struts or gussets extend between the shear plate and the end sheet, converging inwardly from the end sheet to the shear plate.

Various modifications to this prior art structure are also known. For example, US. Pat. No. 3,490,387 shows a covered hopper car construction utilizing diagonal struts or gussets as described above and further shows the use of a substantially vertical transverse web member extending between the end slope sheet and center sill structure inward of the diagonal gussets. This design is claimed to enable the end structure to be reduced in size and weight to provide a more lightweight and economical construction. The present invention provides a hopper car end structure which structurally serves to stiffen and support the hopper car body to resist loadings due to impact and buff forces. The end structure of the present invention is simple compared to previous designs and provides substantial economies of fabrication and construction over the prior art designs discussed above. The end structure of the present invention lends itself to modular construction techniques permitting the end structure to be fabricated as a sub-assembly apart from the hopper car body on separate jigs. The completed sub-assembly may then be secured to the hopper car construction. The construction of the end assembly permits adjustment and alignment at the time of attachment of the end assembly to the hopper so that height of the car may be varied to maintain vertical tolerances. Further, the construction of the end support structure is simple, requiring few parts and is easily attachable to the hopper end sloped sheets by welding.

The end structure of the present invention comprehends a bolster assembly defined by a bottom plate and a generally arcuate cover plate extending between the car body side sheets. A draft sill assembly is supported in .the bolster assembly. A series of vertical, transversely extending diaphragm plates are secured to the upper cover plate and are affixed at their upper ends to the associated inclined sloped sheet. The present inven tion also includes a method of car assembly. The entire end support structure including the slope sheet may be fabricated as a sub-assembly apart from the hopper car and then secured to the side sill by welding. The separate modular construction of the sub-assembly permits alignment of the car body at the time of attachment.

The present invention will be better understood from a reading of the following specification, claims and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hopper car, partly broken away, illustrating the end structure of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of one end of a hopper car of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the hopper car taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the attachment of the side sill to the side sheet;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail view of the attachment of the side sheet to the top sheet at the top sill; and

FIGS. 8 to 10 represent the steps in the method of construction of the hopper car of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 to 7, the numeral 10 generally designates a covered hopper car having a body including opposite arcuate side sheets 11 joined at top sill structure 32 to curved top sheet 12. As seen in FIG. 7, the top sill structure 32 is in the form of a closed section defined by upper curved extension of side sheet 11 lapping portion 53 of top sheet 12 extending longitudinally along the car interior. Intermediate hopper compartments, designated by the numeral 13, are defined between the side sheets 11 and by vertical partitions or bulkheads l4 and have oppositely converging bottom inclined sheet portions 15 which terminate at bottom discharge outlet adapters generally indicated by the numeral 16. The bottom outlet adapters are conventional.

Hopper compartments 21 at opposite ends of the car, are also defined between the arcuate side sheets 11 and are enclosed between bulkheads l8 and end slope sheets which together converge and terminate at a bottom discharge 16. Slope sheets 20 include, at their upper end, a vertical section 26 which adjoins the top sheet 12.

Spaced apart hatch members 22 are provided along the top sheet 12 on the center line of the car and provide access to the interior of the hopper compartments. Suitable ladders 23 and running boards 24 are also provided to facilitate inspection and loading of the car.

Side sills generally indicated by the numeral 25 extend the entire length of the car along the-lower or marginal edge of the side sheets. Side sills 25 are in the form of an angle having vertical leg 37 and shortened inwardly depending horizontal leg 38. As seen in FIG. 6, side sheet 11 is joined to the interior of legs 37 and 38 by welding to provide stiffening for the car structure. The side sills terminate at end sill 44 which extend transversely of the car.

Referring to FIGS. 24, the end support structure is designated by the numeral 46. A bolster assembly 27 includes an arcuate wrap sheet 28 having its inner edge 29 intersecting and secured to the end slope sheet. Wrap sheet 28 extends in a general U-shape between opposite side sheets 11. The opposite terminal edges 31 of the wrap sheet are generally horizontal and are affixed to the interior of the side sheet at the approximate vertical center line of the car.

The bottom cover plate 30 of the bolster 27 is secured at opposite legs 38 of the side sills 25. Web plates 54 and 56 extend between the wrap sheet and the side sheet and bolster cover plate 30 respectively. The bolster structure also includes shear plates 33 extending diagonally between the side sills and wrap sheet 28 at opposite sides of the car. Stiffening is further provided by gusset plates 34 extending between the wrap sheet and the bottom cover plate 30. Side bearing members 35, in the form of U-shaped pads, project from the underside of plate to serve as bearing mem bers to stabilize the car against lateral rocking.

A draft sill assembly is supported in the bolster assembly and includes rear draft lug member 43. Center plate 41 is secured to the lower bolster plate 30 as part of the draft sill assembly 40. Since these components are conventional they are not, for clarity of illustration, shown in detail. Draft sill assembly 40 is adapted to receive a conventional draft gear and coupler structure. The car is supported by truck assemblies 45 at the front and rear of the car.

End structure 46 further includes a series of transverse vertical diaphragm plates 47, 48 and 49. Diaphragm plates 47, 48 and 49, are each generally semicircular and extend transversely of the car having an upper horizontal edge 50 secured to the end slope sheet 20. Arcuate peripheral edges 51 are welded to the interior of the wrap sheet 28. Three diaphragm plates are shown at each end of the car arranged with sheets 47 and 49 aligned over the truck axle center lines and the intermediate baffle 48 disposed over the center plate 41. ln order to reduce the weight of the structure and to facilitate access during assembly, two symmetrical, generally triangular cutouts 52 are provided in plate 47 and circular holes 62 are provided in plate 48. Vertical and diagonally arranged angles 65 and 66 are welded to the rear of plate 47 to provide structural stiffening. A frame including end sill 44 and vertical corner posts 55 extends between the slope sheet and the end sill at the car ends.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 to 10, which show the method of the present invention, the fabrication of the hopper car is as follows:

Side sills 25 are first secured in place in parallel relationship in jig member by appropriate fixtures. The intermediate bulkheads 14 are arranged in place within side sills 25 as seen in FIG. 8 to partition the compartments.

End support structures 46 are separately fabricated as sub-assemblies. Each end structure is formed with the cylindrical wrap sheet 28 being sheared and bent into the arcuate shape. The inner edge 29 of the wrap sheet is sheared to conform to the slope sheet after bending. Slope sheet 20 is formed and welded in place to the edge of the wrap sheet plates. Diaphragm plates 47, 48 and 49 are formed as shown and are welded in 6 place. The bolster assembly 27 is secured to the wrap sheet and slope sheet 20 with cutout 52 and 62 permitting a welder access to make the necessary joints. The bottom cover plate 30, gussets 34, shear plate 37, web plates 54 and 56, and bumpers 35, are welded in place. The draft sill assembly 40 is longitudinally aligned and secured in the bolster structure. Thus, the end support sub-assembly 27 can be easily fabricated as a modular unit separate and apart from the basic car structure. This allows economy of shop space and convenience of fabrication.

When the car body and end structure sub-assemblies are completed, they are joined by positioning the end support structures 27 in place within the side sills 25 in jig fixture 60 at opposite ends of the car. The opposite ends of plate 30 and gussets 33 are welded to the side sills. Stiffening plate 54 is secured in place. Prior to welding the sub-assemblies together, any relative adjustment to maintain proper tolerances and alignment can be made. For example, adjustment of the position of the end structure can be made to maintain the proper car height and length dimensions.

The final steps of fabrication are shown in FIG. 10. Top sheet 12 is secured to the vertical leg 26 of the end structures and to the upper edge of the bulkheads 14. The opposite side sheets 11 are joined to the end structures, intermediate bulkheads, and to the interior of leg 37 of the side sills. Top sill 32 is welded with portion 53 secured at the car interior at side sheet 11. Accessory items such as hatches 22 and gates 16 are added along with ladders, coupler, and wheel trucks to complete the car assembly.

Structurally it will be seen that the transverse baffle plates serve to reinforce the end slope sheets to resist longitudinal forces imposed by car buff and impact. The combination of the transverse baffle and the cylindrical wrap sheets serve to distribute impact and buff loads to be reacted at the car side sheets. No concentrated high stress loadings result. The structure composed of the transverse baffle and the bolster assembly extending between opposite side sheets also serve to substantially stiffen the cylindrical outer shell of the hopper car to eliminate the requirement for additional structural members.

Thus, the present invention provides a hopper railway car construction which is simple and facilitates construction, particularly adaptable to modular construction of the sub-assemblies. The structure is highly efficient in resisting operational loads imposed on the car while being relatively simple, lightweight, and having a minimum of structural elements.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to make various changes, modifications, and alterations to the construction shown. lt is intended that such changes are within the scope of the present invention and that the present invention be limited only by a fair interpretation of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A railway hopper car comprising:

a car body defined by opposite arcuate side sheets having a side sill extending longitudinally along the lower marginal portion of each side sheet and at least one inclined end slope sheet partially defining an end hopper compartment;

an end support structure for said end hopper compartment, said support structure including a bolster assembly defined by a bottom plate extending transversely between said side sills and an upper wrap sheet, said wrap sheet extending arcuately between said sheets exterior to said end hopper comsaid support structure including a plurality of spaced partment and secured at an inner edge to said slope apart transversely extending diaphragm plates havsheet and extending toward the associated car end ing an upper generally horizontal edge secured to from said inclined slope sheet; and said end slope sheet and an arcuate edge secured said support structure further including a plurality of 5 t th interior of said wrap sheet; and

Spaced apart dlaPhragm Plates elftendmg trans draft sill assembly means secured to said bolster asversely to the longitudinal axis of said car body and Semb|y secured to the interior of said wrap sheet to stiffen The railway hopper car of claim 2 wherein Said wrap Sheet and havmg upPer generally aphragm plates are provided with sectional cutouts.

zontal edge secured to said inclined slope sheet. 10 4. The railway hopper Car of claim 2 wherein Said A ralway hopper Car Compmmg: draft sill assembly includes a center plate and where a car body including generally arcuate side sheets having a side sill member extending longitudinally along the lower marginal portion of each side sheet and oppositely inclined end slope sheets partially defining end hopper compartments;

an end support structure for each of said end hopper compartments, said end support structure includone of said plurality of diaphragm plates is aligned on the center line of said center plate and wherein additional diaphragm plates are provided approximately aligned to correspond to the location of the axis of the car truck wheels.

5. The railway hopper car of claim 4 wherein said m a bolster assembly defined by a bottom plate bolster assembly includes gusset plates extending beextending transversely between said side sills and tween sfiid shee? and Said bottom Plate and wrap Sheet having upper terminal edges Secured to further including vertical web plates extending between th id h t d extending d d i an said wrap sheet and said bottom cover plate and said proximate U-shape to the approximate elevation of Side Sheet the side sills, said wrap sheet bei r d t it 6. The railway hopper car of claim 5 wherein vertical inner edge to the slope sheet and extending from post members extend between the terminal ends of the said inclined slope sheet toward the associated car side sills and the slope sheet. d; l 

1. A railway hopper car comprising: a car body defined by opposite arcuate side sheets having a side sill extending longitudinally along the lower marginal portion of each side sheet and at least one inclined end slope sheet partially defining an end hopper compartment; an end support structure for said end hopper compartment, said support structure including a bolster assembly defined by a bottom plate extending transversely between said side sills and an upper wrap sheet, said wrap sheet extending arcuately between said sheets exterior to said end hopper compartment and secured at an inner edge to said slope sheet and extending toward the associated car end from said inclined slope sheet; and said support structure further including a plurality of spaced apart diaphragm plates extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of said car body and secured to the interior of said wrap sheet to stiffen said wrap sheet and having an upper generally horizontal edge secured to said inclined slope sheet.
 2. A raIlway hopper car comprising: a car body including generally arcuate side sheets having a side sill member extending longitudinally along the lower marginal portion of each side sheet and oppositely inclined end slope sheets partially defining end hopper compartments; an end support structure for each of said end hopper compartments, said end support structure including a bolster assembly defined by a bottom plate extending transversely between said side sills and wrap sheet having upper terminal edges secured to the side sheet and extending downward in an approximate U-shape to the approximate elevation of the side sills, said wrap sheet being secured at its inner edge to the slope sheet and extending from said inclined slope sheet toward the associated car end; said support structure including a plurality of spaced apart transversely extending diaphragm plates having an upper generally horizontal edge secured to said end slope sheet and an arcuate edge secured to the interior of said wrap sheet; and draft sill assembly means secured to said bolster assembly.
 3. The railway hopper car of claim 2 wherein said diaphragm plates are provided with sectional cutouts.
 4. The railway hopper car of claim 2 wherein said draft sill assembly includes a center plate and where one of said plurality of diaphragm plates is aligned on the center line of said center plate and wherein additional diaphragm plates are provided approximately aligned to correspond to the location of the axis of the car truck wheels.
 5. The railway hopper car of claim 4 wherein said bolster assembly includes gusset plates extending between said wrap sheet and said bottom cover plate and further including vertical web plates extending between said wrap sheet and said bottom cover plate and said side sheet.
 6. The railway hopper car of claim 5 wherein vertical post members extend between the terminal ends of the side sills and the slope sheet. 